Ria Siiriäinen
 In the 19th century both Japan and China experienced
military, economic, political and social reforms as a
result of the “opening up” of each by Western powers.
In the case of Japan this was the Meiji Restoration and
in that of China the Self-Strengthening movement.
Both movements hold some similarities however there
are vast differences. These differences are the key
factors that can demonstrate why the Meiji Restoration
was a success whilst the Self-Strengthening movement
accomplished so little in comparison.
 The goal of China was to restore Confucian values and
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ideologies
Japan was more open to reform.
China reluctant to accept foreign guidance because of
history of dealings with the Westerners in the past.
Japan again, more open and looked to the Westerners for
guidance and willingly accepted help and sought advice.
China’s leaders were corrupt and were more interested in
personal gains than to priorities the development of the
nation.
Dissimilarly the reforms in Japan were carried out by a
centralized government who sought what was best for the
country and was more determined to modernize Japan.
 China did not have the funds needed to carry out the necessary
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changes it required to modernize.
Japan in contrast did possess the funds.
Overall Japan better comprehended the importance to
modernize and industrialize in order to strengthen Japan and
understood that it needed the help of the Westerners to do so.
China was not as comprehensive.
Japan carried out changes with little opposition and little blood
shed
The road China’s Self-Strengthening however was a bloody one China under-went a Civil War.
Japan’s reforms were carried out nationwide whilst China’s
strengthening was more concentrated to certain areas (urban).
 Both Japan and China did seek foreign guidance to carry
out their reforms although Japan did so to a greater extent.
 Both understood the need for economic, social, military
and political reforms.
 Both wanted to limit Western influence in their nations
and wanted to reinstate or maintain traditional values and
ideas
 China  Confucianism
 Japan  Restoration of Emperor to power/loyalty to the
Emperor + traditional Japanese values maintained.
 However, Japan did adopt much of the Western culture and
implemented this into their daily lives.
Japan
 Rangaku and Kokugaku
schools of learning. Rangaku
was Dutch learning – more
influenced by Western
education system.
 Hired foreign teachers to teach
in Japan.
 Many students were sent
overseas to universities.
 Japan adopted Westernstylized clothing into their
everyday lives and other
Western technologies and
inventions like clocks and
railway lines.
China
 Stuck to a more
traditional system and
education was heavily
based on Confucianism.
 Some students sent
abroad to study.
 Both took influence from Westerners.
 Both purchased weapons from overseas and modeled
their ground armed forces and navy based on the
European powers.
 Japan was able to develop a much more efficient and
effective modern army that China. Evidence of this can
be seen in the Sino-Japanese War where Japan
triumphed and the Chinese army’s weakness and
ineffectiveness was revealed.
 Conscription in both countries.
 Building up of infrastructure and industries.
 Factories
 Transport and Communication lines
 Change in currency of Japan.
 Tax Reforms
 Ownership of properties
 Trade
 Again these were carried out to a further extent by
Japan than by China.
 Japan’s industries grew to match those of European
powers.
 In Japan the Emperor was restored + there was a
centralized government whose top priority was the
advancement, modernization, industrialization of the
country.
 In China, government was corrupt and sought
personal aims before what was best for the
modernization of China.
 The differences between the Self-Strengthening movement
and the Meiji Restoration out weigh the similarities. These
differences mainly sprung from the differences in attitudes
of Japan and China and it was the attitudes of each that
brought about the success of one attempt at modernization
and the failure of another. China’s leadership was corrupt
and were too proud to accept the Western aid that they
needed. Japan on the other hand was able to understand
that Western influence was unavoidable and necessary.
Although both wished to limit foreign influence and
maintain their own traditions, Japan knew that it first
needed the Westerners in order to then be strong enough
to get rid of them.